Wool Neckties with day tweed

[Nathan]

So you're putting together your THCD day wear outfit and you've got a nice tweed jacket, some nice hose, the appropriate sporran and perhaps a tattersall shirt. When it comes to choosing the neckwear to finish off this outfit, might I suggest you consider a wool necktie. Personally, I enjoy a club stripe or a crest pattern if you're associated with an organization with such a tie but in certain circumstances, I also go with a solid colour tie.

I would never suggest that a silk tie is at all inappropriate as mixing textures successfully can be quite nice. That said, silk reflects light and wool absorbs it. I have found that the use of a wool or cashmere necktie compliments the wool tweed in my jacket and waistcoat as well as my wool kilt and hose. The fact that it absorbs the light makes it a little more understated and less 'blingy' which is one of the stylistic elements that goes through Highland day wear. We tend to save the more refined and shiny bits for the evening. Remember that day wear is essentially derived from sporting attire so it has an elegant yet outdoorsy quality. I personally find a wool tie compliments this overall aesthetic.

When I do wear a silk tie, I typically wear a textured woven silk with more of a matte finish than a shiny finish as I feel it's more in keeping with the aforementioned aethetic.

What are your thoughts on this?

[thescot]

You make a very good point. I have a burnt orange wool tie that goes really well with a tweed jacket, and I wear it with brown jacket and trousers as well. It is a great complement to the "tweed look." I also have several other wool ties that complement my gray kilt jacket--blue, green and a couple of pattern--but if I ever spring for a really nice brownish tweed jacket, I assure you that the above-mentioned tie will come out. It goes exceedingly well with the off white.brown stripe tattersall shirt that I like so well.

I, too, wear lots of silk ties, but for a very homey, earthy, casual look, I like the wool ties the best.

[O'Searcaigh]

Nathan -- I tend to agree with your taste choices pretty much down the line. Here in the "south" though, wearing a tie of any kind during the summer months (80+ degrees F) unless absolutely required is anything but comfortable. In the fall and winter I generally wear woolen ties, usually a complimentary tartan, with rough tweeds as it is a somewhat dressy yet dressed down country look. However, I wear a silk solid or regimental stripe when the occasion calls for more of a business or professional type of dress. Then it is bow ties for the still dressier occasions (rare here). I like the woolen with tweed look best though as being the most comfortable both physically and as best reflecting my "spirit."

[Jock Scot]

Wool, silk, whatever, of course, why not? I really do think that you are giving this altogether too much thought!

[Panache]

I just wear whatever tie happens to strike my fancy and never give a thought to what material it is made of.

Cheers

Jamie

[Nathan]

Wool, silk, whatever, of course, why not? I really do think that you are giving this altogether too much thought!

Chacun à son goût. Surely one of the purposes of this site is to give sartorial matters some thought. As I mentioned, I didn't say the tie had to be wool but I did suggest it as a nice complimentary touch. There is not one type of tie that I think is "right" but their are some ties in my collection I would never wear with my Highland attire.

[Jock Scot]

The only decision that ever comes to my mind , as far as chosing a tie for the day is, "do I like it"? If I do, I wear it. If I don't , then well, I don't.

[Nathan]

The only decision that ever comes to my mind is, "do I like it"? If I do, I wear it. If I don't , then well, I don't.

Clearly, but do you not find any thematic commonality among to the ties you like or don't like with your Highland attire? I think I've heard you mention Regimental and club ties in the past. Might I suggest that a hot pink satin tie or polyester would be a less than ideal choice?

If you feel there's no value in exploring neckwear choices, fair enough, but it is a subject I've given some thought and figured I'd share my opinion with "the great rabble".

I tend to find that the ties I own and like with Highland attire tend to fall into a few categories. I've also seem people proudly wearing ties that I thought were a poor choice that just didn't compliment the overall look. In my view, it's useful to suggest a few "can't go wrong" options for folks with the understanding that they can certainly be more daring if they so choose.

[creagdhubh]

I do like wearing solid coloured, wool neckties with my Highland day attire, but I primarily wear silk neckties with either a regimental stripe, repp, or crested (I'm rather fond of my Barbour "Sitting Pheasant" necktie collection). I actually sold off all of my solid coloured, wool neckties made by Lochcarron, because I seldom wore them. I have also worn solid coloured (usually in navy), cotton knit neckties with my Highland day attire (see below).

MA01003_BLACK-BROWN.jpg

[Father Bill]

I haven't had that challenge much since being ordained!